We’ve settled in pretty well in Frederiksted, St. Croix. It’s got about all we need to live our simple life on the hook—food and a clean ocean. Nobody has been itching to move just yet.
All we tend to do is on or in the water, so we thought we’d shake it up a bit with a horseback ride. There is a horse rescue group here on the island, and to make ends meet they take folks like us for a stroll.
It really wasn’t much of a ride, though. Just a slow walk through overgrown bush and a bit down the streets through a neighborhood. Pretty uninteresting, and because they showed up late we even missed sunset. Oh well, we had a good family laugh about it.
We spent another day scuba diving the wrecks. Our morning dive took us to two slightly deeper wrecks, where I didn’t get a single picture since I don’t have an underwater housing for the cameras right now. There was a pretty good current running at that one, too, so none of us really enjoyed the dive all that much.
After that dive we went home for lunch, and I finished scraping the other half of the bottom of the boat (did half last week with my leftover air). Then later in the afternoon we dove the Northwind wreck again. We all agreed we like the Northwind dive the best. Perfect depth at a max of ~50′, good visibility, a cool ship, usually a turtle or two, and quite a few fish. It’s also a fun one for the kids to use their imaginations.
We had close to an hour to explore, and what I’m finding on these dives is that my job isn’t to lead the kids around, but to simply keep an eye on them as they go about their play. That’s really what this is to them, just another way to play and have fun. I’ve mentioned it before, but they really do have an underwater language. They communicate via a series of different yells and hand signals. On this dive I watched them play, going up and down one side of the ship over and over again, taking turns, and jabbering with their hands the whole time. Later, when we surfaced they told me they were playing a pirate game, and when it was explained to me I couldn’t understand how the game could have been so elaborate. They had a great time.
The sea scooters remain a hit, being used every day until the battery runs dry.
Underwater rescue. Ouest would dive off the boat, and Lowe would sweep in to rescue her, towing her back to the swim platform, where the game would begin anew.
15 Comments on “Northwind”
Fabulous photos, Pat. The underwater landscape pic is stunning. ?
Living ? you certainly seem to be doing it right! Awesome family ?
Hey guys, stupid question but does your boat have any insulation? Curious how you manage the temp variations?
I don’t believe so. And since we bought her in Florida (2017) and have been staying in the warmer temperature places, it hasn’t been a problem. We actually have two small electric heaters that we needed in Florida a few times. But otherwise the temperature is always pretty much perfect year-round. Boats like ours over in the PNW are fitted with heaters.
All about living the life….Take care bums…..
I saw that photo with Ali, Ouest, and Lowe (second from top) and thought, “Who’s that lady standing next to Ali?” Somehow the last ten inches Ouest has grown have completely escaped my notice. They are growing like weeds! Happy weeds, but you know, weeds.
Don’t you know it. It has NOT escaped us, as we are finding it terribly difficult to find suitable clothes and shoes at this point. I think she will be passing me soon…
Scuba is very cool addition to your activities! Would love to hear about any modifications/equipment you’ve added to the boat for tank storage, filling etc.
My wife is a diver and we’re in the early stages of boat hunting. I’ve been wary of anything with a high transom as it seems like getting equipment back aboard would be challenging.
Right now we are just renting gear, and have absolutely no idea where we are going to find space for scuba equipment. With a 30+ year old boat, that was more designed as a weekender, not full-time liveaboard – it is going to be a challenge. We’ll show photos when/if we get gear.
Happy boat shopping!
What a truly amazing and wonderful life you have!!
Do you fish or purchase fish from local vendors? I don’t think I’ve ever seen photos of you fishing, so am curious. I enjoy living vicariously through this blog. Nice to see that the lifestyle can be done and be done well!
We don’t. But should. The kids liked fish tacos when younger and will still try some of ours. I think I will add “making great fish dishes” to my goals and see if we can make a family switch. Thanks for the push.
Hi Ali, where do I find Boatkid? Where you have gift ideas again. Do you have a quick way to get to it? I forgot what post it was under. Thanks
Hi Marion, here it is https://boatkid.com. Thank you!
truly a childhood filled with adventure! goodonyas! steady on
the helm! well done!